Arbor Update

Local

Downtown Zoning Workshops, May 2 and 4

Posted by Juliew on 30. April 2007

From a press release posted on the City’s web site sometime this week:

To implement the Calthorpe recommendations, the Ann Arbor City Council established the Ann Arbor Discovering Downtown (A2D2) initiative to pursue action on issues such as downtown parking, historic preservation, zoning, urban design and development processes.

One of the high priority A2D2 efforts is an overhaul of downtown zoning codes. Over the last six months, the Downtown Zoning Advisory Committee (DZAC) has been working with the A2D2 Steering Committee and city staff to identify changes to the zoning ordinance that:

1. Create a dense, mixed use core area that is connected to adjacent neighborhoods
2. Establish flexible land uses within the mixed use core area, allowing response to market cycles
3. Build on the pedestrian scale of the downtown urban fabric
4. Respect adjoining neighborhoods by decreasing new development intensity away from the core
5. Provide a gradual frame for the transformation of vacant and underutilized properties
6. Provide incentives for amenities including affordable housing, parks and open space, and ground-floor retail; and
7. Work to lower the cost of downtown development

The DZAC has developed a preliminary set of zoning changes and is seeking input from the public in two upcoming workshops. Members of the public are encouraged to attend one of two workshops on these potential zoning changes:

• Wednesday, May 2, 7 p.m., Conor O’Neill’s Celtic Room (318 South Main St.)
• Friday, May 4 at noon, Downtown Development Authority Conference Room (150 S. Fifth Ave.)

The DZAC will use input from these workshops to develop its recommendations to City Council (scheduled to be presented in June 2007).

Events

This Weekend in Ypsilanti: Totally Awesome Fest 3

Posted by Brandon on 27. April 2007

Semi-legendary grassroots music festival Totally Awesome Fest returns for its third incarnation, beginning tonight in Ypsilanti. Three days, three venues, four dozen acts, pancakes. Read on for the full schedule.

Comment [2] • Read More »

Politics

Privatizing in the Schools, is it good for students? Teachers? Tax Payers?

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 26. April 2007

From the Ann Arbor News

[Ann Arbor Superintendent] Roberts also wants to privatize the district’s food service, a move that would cost 73 workers their jobs with the district. Privatizing food service operations would bring $400,000 in new revenue into the district, according to Roberts’ proposal.

In addition, the district hopes to save $200,000 as part of a proposed countywide plan to privatize substitute teacher services.

I’m ambivalent about privatization. On the one hand, it can help an organization focus on its core mission. On the other hand, it can be a way to short-change workers. What do you think this proposal will mean for the district’s students, employees, and tax payers?

Comment [126]

Local

Downtown Library Space Focus Group, Sunday April 22

Posted by Juliew on 22. April 2007

The Ann Arbor District Library Board is doing a space needs and facility study of the Downtown Library. The work began March 1 and has included several focus group sessions with the public and staff. The study will be completed by June 1, 2007, and is the beginning of what is likely to be a year long process to determine the future size, scope of services, and location of the Downtown Library.

A final focus group session is scheduled for Sunday, April 22, from 2:00-3:30 PM in the Multi-Purpose Room in the Downtown Library. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this event. This is the chance to tell the Library Board what works for you and what could be better at the Downtown Library.

Comment [77]

Local

Hikes, Bikes, Trains, and Automobiles

Posted by Juliew on 20. April 2007

Huron River Drive Closing/Event, Saturday, April 21
Huron River Drive will be closed to motorized vehicles this Saturday (April 21) from 9:00am to noon. Meet with City project staff along the route, ask questions, read the information boards, be a part of discussions, and join in the bicycle and walking tours.

Transportation Workshop, Monday, April 23
Do you have an opinion about streets, transit, sidewalks and bike paths in Ann Arbor? City of Ann Arbor staff are holding two transportation workshops this Monday, April 23 to find out just what the public thinks about transportation in Ann Arbor. The goal of the workshop is to assist staff in updating the city’s transportation plan, which will result in transportation goals and objectives and a framework for the funding of transportation improvements for the next 25 years. The workshops will be at Huron High School, 2727 Fuller Road, in the school’s Media Center. The first public workshop will begin at 4:00pm and the second workshop will start at 7:00pm. Attendees should attend only one of the two 90-minute workshops.

Comment [5]

Business

Wet Labs after Pfizer

Posted by Chuck Warpehoski on 18. April 2007

The Ann Arbor Business Review reports:

A pending agreement between the University of Michigan and a local landlord is expected to provide space long sought by Ann Arbor SPARK for a wet lab incubator.

Now, as I read the story, although this is in a former Pfizer space, it is not in the Pfizer main campus. Still, it’s good to see some progress on post-Pfizer investment in the technology sector.

City Council

City Council: Low-Income Housing

Posted by Juliew on 14. April 2007

Monday, April 16 at 7:00 pm. City Council Agenda

Highlights:

• Public Hearing on Housing and Human Services Needs for the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Consolidated Strategy and Plan
• Resolution Endorsing the Concept of Pursuing 500 Units of Housing Via Obtaining Federal Vouchers that will be Used to Provide Affordable Housing within McKinley Properties throughout Washtenaw County
• City Hall roof issues
• Area Plan Consolidation – Comprehensive Master Planning

Comment [5]

Local

People's food co-op elections

Posted by Bruce Fields on 10. April 2007

Solomon James writes:

The voting for the election of board members for the People’s Food Cooperative ends Wednesday, April 11, at 5pm, when ballots must be delivered to the store. All members of the co-op are eligible to vote. Ballots are available at the store.

Nine people are running, members vote for three.

The newsletter has statements from the candidates on page 4 and 5, and a printable ballot on page 7.

(Or, you can bring your ballot to the Annual Meeting 6:30pm Thur. April 12th, 2007, at the Neutral Zone.)

Local

Huron River Drive Public Workshop

Posted by Juliew on 4. April 2007

Wednesday, April 4, 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Forsythe Middle School Media Center
1655 Newport Road, Ann Arbor

The City of Ann Arbor has just begun a study to develop alternatives for improving Huron River Drive from N. Main Street to Bird Road. This section of Huron River Drive is in very poor condition. Complexities exist that make repaving for continued use by motor vehicles a complex project. The issues include the vast amount of drainage that flows to the road from Bird Hills, the interests of widening for multi-use vs. degradation of sensitive environmental habitat, and the proximity to the river. This calls for a reevaluation of the standard practices for improving this roadway.

The goal of this project is to strike a balance among many different users (motorists, joggers, hikers, cyclists, paddlers, etc.) that also considers the ecological diversity along this scenic section of Huron River Drive. Various alternatives are being considered. These range from closing this section of the road to car traffic, to repaving the road as it exists today.

We are seeking input from the community about this very important project. Please come and share your ideas with us.

Comment [46]

City Council

City Council: Citizen Survey Edition

Posted by Juliew on 3. April 2007

Tuesday, April 3 at 7:00 pm. (One day later due to Passover)
City Council Agenda

Highlights:

• Platt Road Rite Aid Rezoning
• Resolution to Approve Closing Huron River Drive for Improvment Project
• Resolution to Approve Contract with Waste Management of Michigan for Delivery of Yard Waste to the Ann Arbor Compost Center
• Easy Street Sidewalk Project
• Resolution to Approve the First Amendment to McKinley Parking Agreement
• Resolution to Authorize Renewal of Lease for 18 Apartments at Tuscan Creek Apartments and associated services for former Y residents.

Note:
There will be a special presentation of the results of the Citizen Survey at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers. This will also be televised.

Planning Commission (Moved to Thursday due to Passover)
Thursday, February 22 at 7:00 pm.
Planning Commission Agenda

Highlights:

• Public Hearing and action on Zaragon Place
• Action on Resolution regarding Floodplain Mitigation.

Comment [21]